Refugee and Entrant Assistance Program

Last updated 08/18/17

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administers the Refugee and Entrant Assistance Program (CFDA 93.566,) through its Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in accordance with 45 CFR 400. This program enables states to provide services to refugees, certain Amerasians from Viet Nam, Cuba and Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of a severe form of trafficking, Iraqui and Afghan Special Immigrants, and unaccompanied refugee minors. Two types of services are provided under this formula grant program:

Refugee Social Services for employment and other social services for five (5) years after date of arrival or granting of asylum.

Refugees Cash and Medical Assistance during the first eight (8) months after arrival or granting of asylum.

Refugee Social Services Program

The main goal of this program is to provide job training and placement services to enable participants to obtain jobs within a year. This program also assists with English language instruction services, basic family support, and social adjustment services. The service population for this program is prioritized as follows (45 CFR 400.147):

newly arrived refugees during their first year in the U.S. who apply for services,

refugees who are receiving cash assistance,

unemployed refugees who are not receiving cash assistance, and

employed refugees in need of services to retain employment or attain economic independence.

In Federal Fiscal Year 2017, ORR provided $75,000 to Hawaii for this program. As indicated in the State Plan, OCS contracts with Child and Family Service to provide services under this program.

Federal Fiscal Year

$ Awarded

$ Expended

Service Outcome Highlights

2017 (as of 6/30/2017)Grant #1701HIRSOC

$75,000

$43,785.92

48 refugees enrolled in the program
48 provided basic family support & social adjustment services
36 provided English language instruction
6 provided employment and job search services
3 enrolled in education or vocational programs
2 obtained full time employment
2 obtained part time employment
5 maintained employment for 90 days

2016Grant #1601HIRSOC

$75,000

$75,000

60 refugees enrolled in the program
60 provided basic family support and social adjustment services
19 provided English language instruction
60 enrolled and provided employment and job search services
12 enrolled in education or vocational programs
24 obtained full time employment
21 obtained part time employment
33 maintained employment for 90 days

Refugees Cash Assistance Program

This program enables assistance to provided to refugees who are determined ineligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid. Three categories of financial assistance are allowed in this program:

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA),

Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA), and

Unaccompanied refugee minors.

Hawaii only participates in the Refugee Cash Assistance category. Financial assistance can be provided for up to eight (8) months from the date of arrival in the U.S., date of final grant of asylum, and date of certification for trafficking victims. Up to $450 per month may be provided, subject to assessment of the individual’s needs.

In Federal Fiscal Year 2017 (as of June 14, 2017), ORR has awarded $17,197 to Hawaii for this program, including administrative expenses. Services are provided by the State of Hawaii, Department of Human Services (DHS) under a Memorandum of Agreement that was executed in 1985. DHS has adopted Hawaii Administrative Rules for Refugee Resettlement Program (HAR 17-661).